The TA will contribute to the enhancement of productivity and environmental conservation in the Tonle Sap Basin. The TA would support (i) pilot demonstration of productive, profitable and biosecure technologies, and (ii) promote development and application of rual ICT for technology adoption and market access improvements, thereby influencing the productivity, diversification and competitiveness.

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development /
Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development

Gender Equity and Mainstreaming

Description

The TA will contribute to the enhancement of productivity and environmental conservation in the Tonle Sap Basin. The TA would support (i) pilot demonstration of productive, profitable and biosecure technologies, and (ii) promote development and application of rual ICT for technology adoption and market access improvements, thereby influencing the productivity, diversification and competitiveness.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Agriculture is one of the most important economic sectors in Cambodia. The sector contributed a share of 30% to the country's gross domestic products (GDP) in 2008 and grew at an average rate of 7.7% per annum during the 2005-2008 period. Although the sector's share in GDP has declined from an average 38% over the past 4 years and the annual growth rate declined from 15.7% in 2005 to 5.0% in 2008, agriculture remains the primary source of employment and income for the vast majority of rural population that makes up about 85% of the country's population. The sector is particularly significant for the Tonle Sap basin, which is home to one third of the country's population and covers 42% of the land areas.

In the mid-1990s, the Government started to reform the agriculture sector, when the country was transitioning from a centrally planned into a market economy. The sector's important role in the national economy was enshrined in the Government's Rectangular Strategy that emphasizes: (i) enhancement of agricultural sector covering improved productivity and diversification of agriculture, land reform and clearing of mines, fisheries reform, and forestry reform; together with (ii) continued rehabilitation and construction of physical infrastructure; (iii) private sector growth and employment; (iv) capacity building and human resource development. Sustainable agriculture and rural sector development has been at the core of poverty reduction and economic growth in Cambodia and in line with ADB's Strategy 2020 that supports inclusive economic growth and environmentally sustainable growth.

The expected outcomes are the following (i) representative members of rural communities in three provinces of Cambodia will have developed skills to use ICT, and gain access to information on new technology (e.g., farming techniques and practices) covering fisheries, aquaculture and livestock, women's activities, post harvest and other processing activities, high value agricultural products including vegetables and fruits, organic agriculture and biogas, and subsequently disseminate these to others; (ii) rural farmers, producers, traders and buyers will have better (faster, more timely, wider, more convenient, cheaper and more relevant) access to markets and market information and will be able to share and exchange knowledge; (iii) village, local, regional and national markets will have better electronic and other communication links among themselves and with relevant international markets; (iv) market operators and service providers will make greater use of ICT to conduct business with rural clients; (v) rural farmers, producers, traders and buyers would establish stronger links with wholesalers and exporters; (vi) rural farmers, producers, traders and buyers will have access to more accurate and timely information on natural disasters, environmental hazards, and plant, animal and human diseases and pests; (vii) rural communities and other stakeholders will develop greater awareness of biosecurity concerns including national and international public and private Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and regulators will be more equipped to apply traceability of food; (viii) environmental quality and management in the Tonle Sap Basin will be improved; (ix) e-entrepreneurs will start investing in ICT for agricultural development and diversification; and (x) policy makers will be more aware of key concerns of the rural communities related to market links and service delivery, and accordingly allocate resources for ICT development.

Progress Toward Outcome

A total number of 1,650 farmers have participated in 750 demonstrations of improved production technologies for cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, chicken and fish.

Through a series of field days, workshops and technical meetings, the good agriculture practices were shared with officers and staff of Provincial Department of Agriculture, Fisheries Cantonment, village leaders, commune councils, district authorities, collectors and NGOs. Some 1,410 representatives from these organizations participated in the technology sharing exercises. In addition the technologies and demonstration experiences were shared with over 20 other projects, schools, colleges, and government departments. About 1,020 participants from these projects and organizations attended the technology sharing events in the four target provinces (though some participants came from outside the project area).

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

The expected outputs and timing are (i) within 6 months of inception of the TA, an action plan is prepared in consultation with the Government for identifying and demonstrating productive, profitable and biosecure technologies, and ICT application for technology adoption, factor productivity and market access improvements, and enhancement of rural production and income bases; (ii) within 18 months minimum critical institutional understanding is developed at national, provincial and local levels to deal with issues related to technology demonstration, market development, biosecurity and ICT application; (iv) environmental impact assessment of development in the Tonle Sap Basin is prepared, (iv) a sample unit of rural Cyber Development Corps (e-technicians, e-operators, e-entrepreneurs, e-service providers, e-educators, e-health providers, etc.) is developed by completion of the TA in 24 months; (v) an agreed number of e-kiosks are established in villages and markets, equipped and operational with public, private and civil society participation; (vi) network infrastructure is put in place with public, private and civil society participation; (vi) ICT skills training is undertaken at base level for users, including 50% female users; (vii) information and communication materials are produced in various forms for wider dissemination; and (viii) in collaboration with designated institutions and stakeholders a process is started within 18 months to develop information systems and databases on key agricultural, environmental and related topics with links to users.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

As of August 2012, the TA achieved the following:

Ouput 1. Technology demonstrations and training: Over 750 agriculture technology demonstration sites have been established in the four target provinces. These include field demonstrations and field training programs on crops, livestock, and aquaculture and on-farm water management. These programs involved 1,650 farmers (604 females).

Output 2. Pilot testing of rural ICT facilities (Telecenters): Nineteen telcenters have been established in 19 districts - 5 in Banteay Meanchey, 5 in Siem Reap, 5 in Kampong Thom and 4 in Kampong Cham. Previously 5 telecenters were operating in Kampong Cham, and one is now being relocated due to poor performance by operator.

Since RCG counterparts have become available and full members of the Project (workshop at the end of July 2012), work on output 2 has been progressing at a very fast pace. Nevertheless, time and resource constraints led the Team to adopt a new implementation strategy. This strategy focuses on selecting 10 core telecenters for intensive support and then using a system of internship to increase capacity of the 10 non-core telecenters. This is described and justified in more detailed in the Output 2 Revised Concept Note August 2012.

Geographical Location

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

During Project Implementation

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

The TA will be implemented over 36 months. A total of 137 person-months (pm) of consulting services will be provided under the TA comprising 45 pm of international and 92 pm of national consultants in coordination, agronomy, livestock, aquaculture, irrigation management, resource planning, environmental monitoring and ICT. The International Technology Transfer and Extension Expert will assume the role of the Team Leader.

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